BB1 User Manual - Common Lisp Version

Abstract: This manual is aimed at the programmer or knowledge engineer interested in
implementing a system in BB1. We assume a medium-level knowledge of LISP and
AI, with exposure to the idea of blackboard systems. We also assume that you
have a farmiliarity with LiSP workstations - don't look here for instructions
on how to use the mouse! The glossary at the end of the manual will be
essential in understanding the terms used throughout the manual.
BB1 runs on Xerox 1100-series workstations and the Texas Instruments
Explorer[TM]. This manual describes version 2.0 of the BB1 system implemented
in Common LISP/Flavors running on the TI Explorer[TM] machines.
A good approach to learning BB1 is to read this manual, then sit down at the
machine (with manual in hand) and run a BB1 demo program. Then go through the
manual again, run the demo again, and then take a deep breath and try to build
a small system. If you can get a single knowledge source to trigger and
execute, you are well on the way to building a real system. You will be using
the BBEdit program a lot - become familiar with it. Appendix D provides hints
on using BB1, BBEdit, and the other BB1 programs.
After you have built a couple of systems in BB1, you will want to explore the
capabilities for defining languages and conceptual frameworks. At that time
you should review those sections of the manual and examine the SIGHTPLAN demo
system closely. A framework takes some time to build, but the explicitness of
the representation provides large gains in reasoning, explanation, and
learning. We hope you enjoy your time with BB1.